The Hobart Shakespeareans

Documentaries about inspiring teachers aren't exactly rare, but The Hobart Shakespeareans—profiling Rafe Esquith, who teaches fifth grade at an inner-city Los Angeles school—is better than most. The students at Hobart Boulevard Elementary—mostly from immigrant families of Latin-American and Asian descent living amidst street violence and domestic turmoil—are often victims of low expectations, but the dedicated Esquith proves that many students are capable of exceptional levels of accomplishment if their energy is properly channeled, their thirst for knowledge nurtured, and their imagination engaged. These youngsters read classics (including Huckleberry Finn, Lord of the Flies, and To Kill a Mockingbird), take field trips to Washington, D.C. and colonial Williamsburg (paid for by a nonprofit foundation set up by one of Esquith's former pupils), learn about responsibility and budgeting through a classroom rewards and payment system, and engage in mathematics competitions and musical training. But the focus of this picture from filmmaker Mel Stuart (who directed 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, among other features and documentaries) is on the fact that the class also puts on one of Shakespeare's plays every year (Hamlet in this case), a project that brings guests such as Michael York and Ian McKellen into the classroom. Esquith is a man of firm conviction and self-confidence—off-putting to some of his colleagues—but he brings out the best in the type of students often treated as throwaways, simply by demanding much and treating them without condescension. DVD extras include an interview with the director. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)